Valuing water: Perspectives, challenges and opportunities

Water’s worth is arguably infinite – without water life ceases to exist. Recognizing, measuring and expressing water’s worth, and incorporating it into decision-making, are fundamental to achieving sustainable and equitable water resources management. Whilst the term ‘value’ and the process of ‘valuation’ are well defined (Box 1.1), there are multiple uses, and often reuses, of water and the very many different stakeholders involved usually have different views of what ‘value’ specifically means to them. There are also different methods for calculating value and different metrics to express it. Identifying and reconciling these differences is the subject of this World Water Development Report.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Clean Water and Sanitation

Good Health and Well-Being

Responsible Consumption and Production